A Few Beauty Buys ...!

Bonjour!

So over the last month or so I've been picking up a few bits and bobs, here and there ... as you do ...

Actually the first two products aren't 'buys' as such but thought I'd add them in as recent acquisitions!
Pixi Lash Line Ink in Black Silk - I won this in a Twitter comp a while ago - have swatched but not had a proper go yet - to be rectified shortly!
Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny - a belated Christmas pressie from my brother (chosen by myself of course!) - my first Bobbi Brown product - thanks bro!

Picked up the following items when Boots had their recent 3 for 2 offer on a couple of weeks ago ...
Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream - couldn't get hold of my usual Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light so thought I'd give this a go and first impressions are favourable!
Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top and Base Coat Duo - my current Sally Hansen Instadri has gone rather gloopy so thought I'd give this duo a bash.
Max Factor CC in Tanned - this is one of those products that you grab in a rush - when you're faffing around in Boots - trying to choose the third item in a 3 for 2 offer - and running out of time! I wanted a CC - actually the Bourjois CC but couldn't get hold of a suitable colour so ended up with this one - I think it's going to be too light for me having now tried it although it's the darkest of shades available!

Soap & Glory Endless Glove 2in1 Moisture Mask & Hand Cream - I had a Boots voucher to get £3 worth of points on a S&G purchase - my hands need all the moisture they can get at the moment and you can never have too many hand creams right?
Dove Refresh and Care Dry Shampoo - on offer with a third off in Sainsburys - I can't live without dry shampoo (or rather my hair can't) so thought I'd give this a whirl as a change from my usual brands.

And last but not least I took advantage of the current offer of a No7 Pink Blossom Box with 2 No7 products...
No7 Instant Radiance Foundation in Warm Beige - I was recently colour matched and given a sample of this and a couple of other foundations to try by the nice No7 lady - Instant Radiance won the vote and I used my £3 off voucher!
No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush -  actually wanted the No7 Brush Cleaner as my 2nd product but it was sold out and I was running out of time (again) in my lunch break.  I have an ongoing blusher addiction so this seemed like an obvious choice!
Inside the 'Blossom Box' were sample sizes of No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara, High Shine Lip Crayon, Skin Illuminator and Stay Perfect Eye Shadow - I've not tried any of this lot so all welcome!

So that's that for a while - I definitely need to start 'shopping my stash'! I've had to physically restrain myself from going for the current Bourjois offer in Boots of spend £12 on Bourjois and get a free blush or eyeshadow  - I need  help ... help me please ...!

What have you been tempted by recently?

Jen x

MUA Cream Blusher in Scrummy - Review

Bonjour!

Believe it or not I don't own many cream blushers (masses of powder blushers mind but not many creams!). This is my MUA Blush Perfection Cream Blusher in Scrummy - it's one I've been enjoying for a good few months now...

I went for Scrummy because it looked like a really wearable shade - not too light, not too dark etc.  For me it works best over a BB or light foundation and I don't try to mattify as it gives a natural, dewy flush which is what I'm after with a cream blush so I don't see the point!  I just pat a little over the old apples with my fingers (I like using fingers with cream blush) but you could blend with a brush if that's your thang.   It's quick and easy to use so ideal if you just want to add a bit of colour and not faff around too much or look too made-up but you can build it up for a more intense flush.  I don't find it drying, nor is it greasy or slippery and it lasts really well - for a good few hours, if not longer, just over a BB.  You don't need to use much as it's quite well pigmented so it's easy to build up a little pop - I envisage Scrummy will be a great Summertime staple and ideal for holiday!

Swatched above and blended below - in shade on the left and full sun on the right...

I've only gone for a 'little pop' on the kite here - (every time I tried to type 'pop' it came out 'poop' - what is wrong with me!) ...

MUA Cream Blushers are a mere £2.00 so if you get on with them you can't go wrong.  I'm definitely after another shade - it's just that every time I visit Superdrug they're pretty much sold out!

Have you tried any of the MUA Blushes? What's your favourite cream blush?

Jen x

Roast Beef and Potato Pepper Fry...!

Bonjour!

Thought I'd take a trip down the 'foodie' route again with an Anglo-Indian favourite ... Pepper Fry!  I remember various forms of mince, chicken and beef pepper fry from my childhood days - if we were feeling under the weather or full of cold etc a plate of pepper fry and rice would sort us out!  My mum, nana and grandpa were all a dab hand at 'throwing' it together using leftover or fresh meat - let's hope I can continue with tradition ...!

I used leftover roast beef and potatoes - enough for two servings here ...

Prepare the following ... 1 large onion, a couple cloves chopped garlic, chopped ginger to taste (I used 1 large tsp of 'Lazy Ginger' on this occasion), 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp pepper (or to taste) - I used garlic grain pepper cos I love it! (You could also add a chopped chilli into the mix if you wanted to pep it up a bit!)

Fry the onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric in a little oil for a few minutes to soften... (the method is similar to my lamb fry -  here) ...

Add the beef, roast potatoes and pepper and fry for a further 5ish minutes ...

Add hot water from the kettle to just about cover the medley (I also chucked in some chopped coriander too as I'm obsessed with the stuff! ), cover and bring to the boil ...

Simmer for 25 minutes or so until the meat is thoroughly heated and you're left with a pepper fry (think I'll add more water next time as I like loads of gravy!) ...

Serve with rice and yogurt if you like and maybe a bit of bombay mix on the side?

You can't beat a good old Pepper Fry!  It's simple but tasty and a really quick and easy way to use up leftovers!

What's your favourite way to use up roast beef?

Jen x

NOTD - Deborah Lippmann - Spring Buds ...!

Bonjour!

This is the second of the polishes recently sent to me from Lookfantastic ... Spring Buds by celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann ... here it is mingling with some Spring blossom ...!

I should point out that tiny droplets of rain may be evident in the above pic - it was one of those silly weather days and I was desperately trying to get this snapped before the heavens opened!  Anyway ... this is one of the polishes available from the Deborah Lippmann 'Spring Reveries' Collection - six of the softest 'very springlike' pastel shades which are easy on the eye - both in the lovely Art Deco type bottle and out of it!  'Spring Buds' is a creamy, pistachio green colour - a fresh and clean and glossy look which is ideal for this time of year!  The consistency was actually a lot thinner than I was expecting with quite a small brush but once you get used to this it's easy enough for a novice like myself to apply.  You do need two decent (or three not so decent I imagine) coats - I've used two in the above pic.  Wear wise (you know what I'm going to say here I bet!) it lasted just short of two days with topcoat but it did wear pretty evenly on the ends which may make it easier to touch up?

You can see the Deborah Lippmann range available from Lookfantastic here - between £16/£18 a bottle it's a bit on the pricey side  - although there are some gorgeous colours and finishes - see what you think!

Have you tried any of the Deborah Lippman polishes?

Jen x

Birthday Wishlist!

Bonjour!

Bit of a hint in the post title there ... yes my birthday is on the horizon - not so exciting an event when you're getting on! Still - always room for some sort of wishlist whatever your age eh?  I've never done a 'wishlist' post since I started blogging but I've recently discovered Polyvore - it's a bit addictive - like Pringles - once you pop you can't stop and all ... I've definitely popped ...!

Birthday Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring black laced boots

Quick blurb on the products then kicking off with the Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, must try this -after all good hair begins with a good scalp right? Had to restrain myself on the make-up front (obviously) or there would have been tenfold blushers on here, but how cute is the Cargo blush - there are several different 'beach based 'options and who knows I may even try a couple! Been wanting a pair of Dr M's for ages and I reckon I can get away with these ... probably not the ideal footwear to wear for the school run though unless I give myself ample time to do the laces up!  I only possess one MAC lippie (in Chilli which I still have to review) - I think it's time for another, preferably bright and matte - hence Lady Danger. Can't wait to shed my duffle coat and get Spring started, love this teal blazer!  Also need a new handbag - something like this would be ideal, roomy enough for my kitchen sink! Last but not least, I tried a sample of the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 and I was addicted - gorgeous!

So that's the list -will keep you posted if I end up with any of this lovely lot!

What's on your current wishlist?

Jen x